Prop



mm A;

Dec. 2, 4- 1,518,082

W. C- LiMBACH PROP Filed Feb. 21 1924 2 She ets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WITNESS:

Dec. 4- anama;

W. C. LIMBACH PROP Filed Feb. 21, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (NVENTOR E a. Limzmh 5 ATTORNEY WITNES Patented es. 2, 1924.

WILLIAM G. LIMBACH, F MASSILLON, OHIO.

PROP.

Application filed February 21, 1924. Serial No. 694,333.

T 0 all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM C. LIMBAOH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Massillon, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Props, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to props, such as clothes line props and the like, and contemplates an adjustable structure whereby the length of the prop can be varied to meet all requirements.

More specifically stated, the invention provides a prop made up of a plurality of relatively movable slidably associated sections susceptible of independent movement so that the length of the prop can be regulated as the occasion may require, and provided with means for holding the sections fixed relatively in their adjusted positions.

The nature and advantages of the invention Will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and where- 1n:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the prop showing the sections extended.

Figure 2 is a view taken at a right angle to Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectionalview taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 1 is a detail view of one of the adjustable sections.

Figure 5 is a. detail view of the intermediate section.

Figure 6 is asectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the spring pressed catch and its relation with the prop sections.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing a modified construction.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of another modified construction.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 represents what 1 term the end sections of the prop, these sections being arranged to slide on the opposed sides of the intermediate section 11. Of course, the prop can be made up of any number of such sections,

although three of such sections of proper dimensions form a prop whose length can be conveniently regulated for most any purpose. The prop is primarily intended for use as a clothes line prop, and the upper end section 10 is thus provided with a fork 12, the limbs being closely associatedby having their free ends flared to accommodate the clothes line. The limbs are held closely associated by means of coil springs 18" which are supported on a transverse pin passed through said limbs, each end of the pin being formed with a head 19. I The pin itself is indicated at and upon inspection of Figure 1 it will be noted that the corresponding outer ends of said springs bear against said heads While the inner extremities of said springs bear against said limbs. The opposed longitudinal edges of the intermediate section 11 are grooved to receive the extremities of the substantially U-shaped members 14 to hold the sections operatively associated. Manifestly, there is one of these ill-shaped members 14 carried by each of the end sections 10, the members 14L being arranged on the confronting sides of said sections close to the adjacent ends thereof, so that the sections can be slid along the intermediate section 11 for the major portion of its length. Carried by the opposed sides of the intermediate section adjacent the ends thereof are open guides 15 designed to conform to the cross sectional configuration of the end sections which said guides embrace. The lowermost section 10 is also provided with a substantially U- shaped clamp 16, the ends of which are turned inwardly into the grooves in the opposed longitudinal edges of the intermediate section, but this member 16 supports a set screw 17, which when tightened serves to clamp the lower end section and the intermediate section together and thus hold these parts fixed relatively in any given position. The screw draws the clamp outwardly into effective engagement with the correspond ing walls of the said grooves for this purpose, and to allow for this movement of the clamp 16, the parallel portions thereof are provided with slots 18 which receive headed pins 19 projecting from the opposite sides of the lowermost section 10.

For the purpose of supporting the upper section 10 in its extended position, I make use of aspring pressed pivoted catch 20, this catch being pivoted as at 21 upon one longitudinal ed e of the uppermost section 10. The catch consists of a plate having a straight edge 22 and an inclined edge 28 and also secured to one end of a coiled spring 24, the opposite end of which is secured to a fixed point on the section 10. This spring functions to normally hold the catch disposed at a right angle to the said section 10, in which position the catch operates with a stop pin 26 to support the section extended. The stop pin is arranged transversely of the intermediate section 11 projecting from the opposed longitudinal edges thereof, and also associated with a spring 27 which holds one end of the pin projecting an appreciable distance beyond one edge of the intermediate section. In order to extend this upper section 10, it is only necessary to slide the section upward- 1y on the intermediate section 11, the inclined edge 23 of the catch contacting the stop pin, which moves the catch upon its pivot against the tension of the spring 24;, to allow the section 10 to be extended. in other Words, the catch is pivoted so that it will be auton'iatically moved out of the way as the upper section 10 is being moved to an extended position, and when the catch passes the pin, the spring 24L returns the catch to its normal position at a right angle to the section 10 in which position, the lower straight edge 22 of the catch reposes upon the pin to support the section it) so extended. The catch is pivoted upon a metallic strip 29., one end of which is otl'set as at 30, to Provide a stop for the catch, and thus limit the movement 01 the catch in one direction under the inthiiencc or" the spring 24. When it is desired to lower the upper section 10, it is only necessary to press upon one end. of the pin 26 moving it to an out of the way position and allow the section 10 together with the catch to slide downwardly upon the intermediate section ll. Obvious ly, the length of the prop can be varied by simply adjusting the lower sec'ion with relation to the intermediate section 11 atter which the set screw is tightened to hold these parts fixed relatively. or the upper section 10 can be aojusted with relation to the intermediate section, independently of any adjustment of the lower section 10. It is to be also noted that when the prop is not in use, the end sections can be moved toward each other to materially reduce the size oi the prop, so that it can be stored or packed away in a comparatively small space In Figure 8, I have shown a modified construction wherein the upper section 10' of the prop is slotted at one end to receive the body of the line receiving tori: 12" This fork is formed from a single piece of material bent upon itself to provide tively movable limbs, and a portion of these limbs are arranged in contacting engagement and positioned within the slot termed in the upper end of this section 10". The fork is held associated witn the prop section by means of the staples 13 which are driven into the prop section 10 straddling the edge of the fork as shown in Figure 8, while the bolt or other suitable fastening element 1-!" is passed through the contacting portions oi" the limbs of said fork and also through the prop section 10.

in Figure 9, l have shown another mod lied form of the invention, wherein the shaped clamp 16 is held associated with the section 10 ot' the prop by means of a staple 15 in contra-distinction to the slot and pin arrangement illustrated in Fi 'uir 1. This clamp carries the usual se' 1'? which when tightened serves to ch p the lower section it) to the intermediate section 11.

While it is believed. that from the love going description, the nature and advani ages of the invention will be readily apparent l desire to have it understood that I do no limit nyselt to what is herein Shown and describet, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall. within the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention. claim:

A prop ot the character described comprising upper and lower end sections and an intermediate section, the opposed lough tudinal edges o't the intermediate section being grooved, substantially ti -shaped momhers carried by the adjacent ends oi the end sections and designed to be received h said grooves, guides supported by the intermediate section adjacont the ends tl trout and slidably receiving said end secti 1. said end sections being substantially oi' ndependent adjustment, means tor holding it. lower end section tired rot ly intermediate section, and coop carried by the intermediate so upper end section for holdii an extended position.

In testimony whereot l all turc.

reli

cl i o n the in my sign .YILLIAM C. liilliflll.XtCii. 

